Why You Should Consider D3 Softball Colleges

If you’re looking for an opportunity to push yourself athletically and academically, a D3 softball college might be right for you. D3 schools are known for their academic rigor, but they also field some incredibly talented softball programs. D3 softball players usually have more flexibility than D1 or D2 athletes to explore interests and activities outside of their sport, similar to NAIA softball schools. Not to mention the recruiting process is much less regulated than D1 or D2 schools, so coaches have more freedom in when and how they can reach out to recruits. With more than 400 D3 softball colleges across the U.S., there are a lot of opportunities for incoming freshmen recruits.

Do NCAA Division 3 schools give athletic scholarships?

No, D3 schools in general do not offer athletic scholarships. But don’t let that deter you! D3 softball colleges provide student-athletes with the opportunity to get merit, need-based or academic scholarships. In fact, most D3 students are on some kind of financial aid. Research the opportunities you might qualify for before you discount a D3 school.

Is there a D3 softball championship?

Yes, there is a D3 Softball Championship, culminating in the D3 Women’s College World Series. TCNJ is the winningest team in D3 softball history, with five national titles. Virginia Wesleyan is the most recent champ, winning their first title in 2017.

D3 softball rankings 

With more than 400 D3 women’s softball programs in the NCAA, it’s easy to overlook a school that might be your perfect fit. To give student-athletes better visibility when searching for the right college fit, NCSA created Power Rankings. NCSA ranks the top D3 schools with women’s softball teams based on various factors, such as size, location, academics and cost. 

1. Pomona-Pitzer Colleges
2. University of Chicago
3. Amherst College
4. Emory University
5. Franklin & Marshall College
6. Bates College
7. New York University
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
9. Carnegie Mellon University
10. Tufts University

View NCSA’s Power Rankings of top D3 softball schools. 

Visit the NCAA website to see how Division 3 college coaches rank these softball programs.

View the complete list of D3 softball colleges below.